Abstract: A reusable apparatus for detachably connecting a utensil to a container. A rim protrudes from the container. An outer portion of the rim has either a male connector or a female connector. The utensil has a shaft which includes either a male or female connector, depending upon the type of connector of the rim of the container. The male connector has a cross-section with an inner thickness that is less than a maximum outer thickness. The female connector has two cantilever prongs which form a longitudinal opening that lockingly mates with the male connector. The utensil of this invention can be attached, detached and again attached to the container.

Abstract: A kit comprising a lunchbox and a carrying pouch slidably receiving the lunchbox therein. The lunchbox includes a container and cover with the cover including a recess receiving eating utensils. One eating utensil includes a projecting locking button releasably received within a pouch aperture for locking the lunchbox and utensils within the pouch. The pouch includes a spring member outwardly biasing a received lunchbox for ejection upon release of the lock button.

Abstract: A device for protecting articles comprising a plate-shaped protective member connected directly to at least one sharp-pointed portion of the article to be protected by at least one frangible point so as to separate the protecting member from the article before using the latter.

Abstract: A reusable drinking device is provided for use with a can having an opening in its upper surface and an upstanding rim. The device is executed in plastic and clips onto the rim to cover over areas of the upper surface of the can adjacent the opening, while leaving the opening free for egress of liquid.

Abstract: The portable meal container includes a base member for containing food having a substantially rectangular bottom wall and four integral perpendicular side walls of equal height terminating in a unitary top rim and a detachable cover member having top and bottom surfaces adapted to form a tight seal with the top rim portion of the base member. The meal container includes a thermally insulated container member for receiving and disbursing liquid releasably attached to a portion of the top surface of the cover member and a compartment member for containing at least one eating utensil within the compartment member which is also attached to a portion of the top surface of the cover member. The utensil compartment member includes a cover detachable sealed to the upper surface of the compartment member for providing access to the compartment member and the utensils contained therein.

Abstract: A paper napkin including a combination of crossing folds so as to form an exterior rectangular pocket for holding utensils that has a closed bottom, closed sides and an open top through which utensils can be inserted into the pocket.

Abstract: A case for instruments, such as knives and other culinary instruments, comprises a base portion including first and second hingeably connected base portion sections, a cover portion including first and second cover portion sections which are hingeably connected to the first and second base portion sections, respectively, and a positioning member which is operative for receiving and releasably securing instruments in the base portion.

Abstract: A device in connection with a box for cutlery, in which bottom and side walls of the box are provided with perforations and/or slots. Said box is circular-cylindrical and across part of its curved portion it has an opening which may be closed by the aid of a curved closure means which is provided to be slidable inside said box.

Abstract: A flatware case has a base and a hingedly attached lid. Spaced posts extend upwardly from the floor of the base adjacent one end thereof for maintaining utility ends of stacks of flatware in position. Spring biased clamps are positioned to releasibly clamp the stems of the flatware stacked within the case. Flatware may thus be securely held in stacks within the case by the posts and clamps.

Abstract: A cassette kitchen utensils set, comprising a variety of kitchen utensils, a handle bar, a locating seat and a cassette case; each kitchen utensil can be inserted into said handle bar for use and comprises a cutting plane to match with the cutting plane of a U-shaped holder on said locating seat so that it can be placed in said U-shaped holder and be retained thereinside by means of a nose of the respective U-shaped holder wherein the consolidated assembly of the variety of kitchen utensils, the handle bar and the locating seat is put in said cassette case to complete a compact, practicable and portable cassette kitchen utensils set.

Abstract: A place mat includes a thin, substantially flat rectangular member having opposite surfaces; one of the surfaces serving as an operative surface, and at least one surface of the member being liquid impervious; a tab having indicia thereon, formed on one edge of the member; and a fold line formed in the member to permit folding of the member thereabout into a configuration of a file folder such that the tab extends beyond respective edges of the member. To use the place mat, the member is folded along the fold line to form the place mat into the configuration of the file folder. The folded place mat is then stored in a file cabinet under the indicia, with the tab and indicia thereon being exposed for view in the file cabinet. The place mat is then removed from the file cabinet for use, unfolded along the fold line to provide a substantially flat place mat, and placed on a surface for receiving foodstuffs on the liquid impervious surface.

Abstract: A rack for storing food mixer attachments comprising a housing adapted to be connected to the underside of a kitchen cabinet and having a plurality of cylindrical posts extending downwardly therefrom. A cylindrical pin is attached to the post intermediate the ends thereof. An annular washer is disposed around the post and is located between the pin and the housing. A helical compression spring is disposed around the post and has one end thereof in abutment with the housing and the other end thereof in abutment with the annular washer for biasing the annular washer toward the pin. Attachements to food mixers of a certain type can then be placed on the posts and locked on by the pin, such attachments being of a type having a circular opening in one end thereof with a slot going down one side of the circular opening and leading to one side of a second slot which is formed in an arc around the axis of the circular opening. The other end of the second slot has a notch therein.

Abstract: A storage unit for knives and/or steels including a series of individual blocks pivotal forwardly within a frame from a generally upright storage position to an inclined access position. The frame and blocks are modular in construction, permitting widening of the frame and addition of blocks by the purchaser subsequent to his initial purchase.

Abstract: A tray assembly having a self-contained drinking cup and utensils. The drinking cup is removably mounted on the tray and is movable between a folded storage position and an upright usage position. A clip on the side of the tray holds the cup in its storage position. The tray is also covered with a cellophane seal which is bonded to the clip. The clip engages a rod extending across the interior of a housing containing the trays so that when a tray is removed the clip automatically breaks the cellophane seal and releases the cup.

Abstract: A compact case for displaying and storing cutlery or related articles. The case includes a container with a forward display portion and a rear storage portion, separated by a divider. A series of storage blocks for carrying cutlery are positioned within the rear storage portion, and cutlery support frames are mounted on the divider. Each cutlery support frame includes a vertical backplate with a horizontal tab extending therefrom. A support clip is pivotally attached by one end to each backplate. The storage blocks are elongated blocks having a plurality of thin slots oriented transverse to the longer side of each block, and further having a plurality of passageways parallel to the slots. The blocks also have a plurality of tabs extending from the block between the slots and parallel to the slots, with the tabs tapering away from the slots to form a guide for cutlery handles.

Abstract: The invention is an enlaceable serviette. An enlaceable serviette is a serviette which includes the means to enlace and secure a decorative pattern of folding. The basic enlaceable serviette includes only a napkin and a tie integrally attached to the napkin. The napkin is foldable into a decorative pattern suitable for presentation as a decorative piece at a table setting. The decorative pattern may be enlaced and secured by the tie which can be wrapped around the folded napkin and fastened. To use the serviette during a meal, the diner unfastens the tie and unfolds the serviette. The tie can also serve to secure the folding pattern of the napkin during storage and handling. The enlaceable serviette is particularly useful in institutional situations where large numbers of serviettes are used. The integral attachment of the tie to the serviette prevents its separation and possible loss during laundering, during handling and storage, and during the meal.

Abstract: The wrapper is made from a sheet of semi-rigid and foldable material such as paperboard and has two surfaces which are cut-out of the sheet. The two surfaces are applied respectively against the internal face and the external face of the bottom of the utensil. The surfaces are joined to each other by means of four tongues spaced at intervals around the lateral wall of the utensil. The tongues cover the free edge of the side wall and are applied against the internal and external faces of the wall.

Abstract: A utensil assembly constituted by a set of utensils having long handles and differently-shaped implement components for handling or processing food, the utensils being supported at separated upright positions in a rack functioning as an organizer and a carrier for the set. The rack is formed by a rectangular pedestal plate having upturned ends to which a gridwork is secured. The gridwork is defined by a lattice bent into a tube having a rectangular cross section whose lower zone is defined by the adjacent ends of the lattice and is bridged across the upturned ends of the plate at the upper edges thereof. The network of cells created by the parallel upper and lower zones of the gridwork act as receptacles for receiving the handles of the utensils, each handle passing through a respective cell in the upper zone and a cell in the lower zone to rest on the pedestal plate whereby each utensil is supported at a distinct position at which it may be readily selected and removed from the rack.

Abstract: A roll-up place mat having a self-contained ring member for holding a napkin and a self-contained pocket member for holding dining flatware and capable of being rolled up and tied together while containing the napkin and flatware.